4. The devilish lead role in “The Witches of Eastwick” was initially supposed to go to Bill Murray, but he dropped out.

5. Nicholson was married only once, to actress Sandra Knight, from 1962-68. They had a daughter, Jennifer, born in 1963.

6. He’s most famous early role was as the masochistic dental patient in Corman’s “Little Shop of Horrors” (1960)

“Little Shop of Horrors” (1960)

7. Jack holds the record for male actors Oscar nominations. From twelve nominations he has won three awards, for best actor in One flew over the cuckoo’s nest (1976) and As good as it gets (1998), and best supporting actor in “Terms of endearment” (1984)

8. He wrote and produced a film for The Monkees. The Head (1968) is strung together with countless musical numbers, satire scenes and references to issues of the time, including the Vietnam War.

Head (1968), Jack Nicholson & The Monkees

9. He wasn’t the first choice for the role as rebellious mental patient Randle Patrick McMurphy in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. He got the part after Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Burt Reynolds and James Caan turned it down.

10. Prior to playing The Joker, he was considered for Lex Luthor in Superman (1978). That role ultimately went to Gene Hackman.